George Foulidis’ company, Tuggs Inc., operates the Boardwalk Pub near Ashbridge's Bay. He’s demanding Ford apologize for suggesting that his lease deal with the city was corrupt.

"Mr. Ford, I'm challenging you here today to do what's right -- apologize to me and my family, and to come forth because it's the right thing to do," Foulidis told a news conference on Thursday.

"Mr. Ford, there is no corruption and there is no evidence."

If Ford doesn't apologize, Foulidis said he will proceed with legal action.

According to the Toronto Star, Ford has indicated he will not be apologizing.

ETA: It was noted today by Foulidis that everything Ford accused him and the city of dong that Ford called "corrupt" (backroom in camera no bid deal, donations to a city Counselor,) Ford had just recently done exactly the same thing with a different company that donated to him.

I attended the Good Jobs for All forum (it wasn't a debate but in interview format) and I'm now even more convinced that Smitherman is the most dangerous candidate.

LP, going back to a discussion about the Good Jobs for All coalition, I can see an impressive array of members, particularly from the immigrant, refugee. non-white communities and labour, but I am not sure if its organizing and mobilizing work offers the advanced model some may see. I am particularly concerned with the Good Jobs for All coalition, having a mandate to actively intervene in the municipal election. appearing to do little when good green jobs for all are under severe attack in this election.. The hundreds and thousands of grassroots members of the coalition would have gone though a municipal workers strike with stinking garbage, closed swimming pools and delays in the OW cheques. How did the coalition intervene then and how is it intervening now with the right wing clamouring to privitize public services and reduce services?s. . At one level I would like to see the coalition following the lead of labour council and endorsing Joe Pantalone for mayor and others for council and Boards of Ed. It would be a great set of opportunities to organize and mobile, bringing communitoes togetjer in their neigbourhood and across the city What am i missing?

I should think that having the discussion at all is a good start. For one thing, its hard for an organization such as that to take an unequivocal stand on supporting one sector of the white establishment from that other sector of the white establishment. The organization did well to kick of the event by showcasing Rocco Achampong to kick of the debate, which was basically handled as an interview talk show format, as opposed to a snipe fest. There is a divide here, and questions from the audience, notably Black Torontonians handed Pantalone some of his toughest question, which I am afraid to say he mostly tried to defuse.

Notably Rocco (Achampong not Rossi!) was the only person who is a candidate who took the unique stance of talking about the wages of unionized police officers as being a problem, a cute twist on an old theme about unions with a strong hidden point about the police budget.

As one fellow put it, Pantalone really has to do something to distinguish himself from Miller, and unless Pantalone can come up with some way to directly offer something that sounds like more than just words as far as these communities go, and endorsement seems unlikely. However, keynote speaker Avvy Go, clearly tipped her hat to Joe in the intro, but here, as well Pantalone missed an opportunity to pick up on some themes such as policiing that she raised.

From the audience, Zanana Akande, a former MPP, asked Joe Pantalone why, despite city policies meant to ensure the city hires contractors employing minorities, contracts are consistently given to companies that don't meet the criteria.

Pantalone, who has been deputy mayor the past six years, said he'd ask for an independent panel to find out why and make recommendations.

That is not so bad, but I don't think that Joe is going to win huge points from these communities unless he has something more forthright to say. The problems is obvious, and he could take a clear stand on it.

But, if you are concerned about where GJFA is coming from, I think I can say with confidence that this is probably the first and last time that any of the mayoralty candidates will be asked by anyone, let alone someone like John Tory: "What are you going to do to protect City Services from outsourcing", as each was asked in their turn.

ETA: Also you keep talking about welfare cheques being late during the city workers strike. I didn't take a survey mind you, but no one I know who is on the dole got their cheque late, and one was adamant about how happy he was that he cheque was being sent out without the usual monthly bureaucratic bullshit: forms, appointments, etc.

With only five weeks to go until election day, Mr. Ford has the backing of 45.8 per cent of decided voters, while former front-runner George Smitherman has the support of 21.3 per cent of decided voters. Joe Pantalone (16.8 per cent), Rocco Rossi (9.7 per cent) and Sarah Thomson (6.4 per cent) round out the top five contenders, according to a Nanos Research telephone poll of 1,021 Torontonians conducted between Sept. 14 and Sept. 16.

Great. So Pantalone has momentum with a 5% increase in the polls and Smitherman does not. Smitherman has already lost this election to Ford. That is the word on the street. Therefore, Pantalone is the only solid way for people to get the message across to city council that Toronto is not for sale.

I'm going into Pantalone's office this aft. I am encouraging others to get involved as well. Smitherman was just endorsed by a bunch of Tory Harrisite MPPs. Maybe he's better turned out than Ford, but he doesn't have the grounded progressive vision I see in Joe.

Joe gets me excited about the city, about his understanding of neighbourhoods and communities. I appreciate his passion to make this a livable, vibrant place for everybody. Not cutting everything to the bone, leaving the poor with little to celebrate. He is also the only candidate I've heard state clearly that he does NOT have a priority of adding more police officers to the force. That he'd rather put money into projects that make communities healthy and supportive.

I could not have said it better "writer", Pantalone is by far the best choice...I just wish he could do a better job of presenting his arguments - and hopefully that will change for the better in the coming weeks. I saw a mayor's debate and while I agreed with 100% of what Joe was saying - he came across like a bureaucrat defending the status quo and blaming everything on other levels of government. He's right - but he needs to move beyond his answer to every question being "we can't do anything about it because Queens park and Ottawa won't give us more money". Even though its true - this is not what the public likes to hear.

It's time to rally around someone for the ABF vote. Ford is probably the biggest buffoon I have ever seen in Canadian politics. And then his idiotic policy pronouncements - Lowering taxes and increasing services? Getting rid of Toronto's streetcars? Toronto city hall will become an absolute unworkable mess with Ford at the helm.

"Toronto city hall will become an absolute unworkable mess with Ford at the helm."

We have three choices: Ford - in which case city hall becomes an unworkable message where nothing gets accomplished, Smitherman - in which case city hall becomes an all too workable mess where he would probably manage to bring in his rightwing agenda or Pantalone in which case sanity reigns.

I'm not sure whether I feel more Anyone But Ford or Anyone But Smitherman - in any case, he is crashing and burning and i think that someone else has to be the "anti-Ford". The people of Toronto have sampled Smitherman and turned up their noses like a cat that was given a flavour of cat food he didn't like.

Ford is probably the biggest buffoon I have ever seen in Canadian politics.

Ahem...

I think Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison's title of "Canada's Craziest Mayor" (Rick Mercer Report) still stands unbroken. Seriously proposing to put a glass dome over downtown Saskatoon, and making a short-lived but official policy to refuse to meet anyone who dishonours the mayor's status by not wearing a formal suit and tie (Atchison owns a men's clothing store). Hard to beat that.

Winnipeg's Sam Katz came pretty close when he kicked some poor kid in the face on camera while playing soccer this summer. And of course there's stock's jet-ski, and a range of other gaffes, Maxim Bernier, and Raheem Jaffer (remember his staffer pretending to be him in a radio interview?).

The 2003 election for mayor of Saskatoon had Atchison facing off against Pankiw, amongst others. The turnout for the election was over 50%, if I recall correctly. While Atchison is easy and fun to lampoon, he is nothing compared to Pankiw. When confronted with a choice of the frying pan and the fire, Saskatoon's voters chose the frying pan.

Pantalone is going no where. Smitherman is stalled but ahead of Pantalone and the others are done. Time to rally round Smitherman and stop this Ford fool. Ford as mayor I can't stomache it!

Slitherman has already lost this election. He went from a comfortable lead at the begining of the year, and has been steadily losing ground since then. He has been campaigning for a whole year, at least, and he still can't get any traction, despite gold seal endorsements from the Toronto Star, the provincial Liberals and even former Harris Tory cabinet ministers.

Pantalone, has been campaigning since Labour Day, and already increased his poll share by 5%. The only one who is showing any traction is Pantalone.

More importantly, the Mayor is just one vote on Council. Even if Ford wins, a vote for Pantalone, is a vote for Transit City, and a vote against selling of Toronto. A two way split between Slitherman and Ford sends the message that it is open season on the City of Toronto, a vote for Pantalone sends the message to council that there is no clear mandate to sell off city assets, privatize, sell of the TTC, and other city services.

Slitherman has already lost this election. He went from a comfortable lead at the begining of the year, and has been steadily losing ground since then. He has been campaigning for a whole year, at least, and he still can't get any traction. Pantalone, has been campaigning since Labour Day, and already increased his poll share by 5%. The only one who is showing any traction is Pantalone.

Hmmm...Pantalone declared his candidacy back in January. I hope he didn't twittle his thunbs for seven months before deciding to start campaigning after Labour Day!!

Smitherman would never get out of the race. Why should he? Pantalone does not have a chance because of his association with Miller. That's what the people want to change.

Ford's vote is not a vote for "Ford". Its against the status quo. Ford is sticking to his mantra less tax, less spending and more service. He never tells us how he will accomplish all of that but like the tea party down south its picking up momentum.

Smitherman would never get out of the race. Why should he? Pantalone does not have a chance because of his association with Miller. That's what the people want to change.

Where is the evidence for that? A few weeks back a poll was released that showed that if Miller ran he would win. There is no general rejection of the "left" here. What there is is a rejection of the game plan as set up by the media, people are voting against Smitherman and his Liberal connections, not Miller. The set game is Ford v. Smitherman, not Ford v. Miller. Even Smitherman is anti-Miller. There is no Miller candidate in the race that most people know about.

Pantalone's main problem is visibility. Indeed, just the other day I was speaking to someone who said they were going to vote Rocco Rossi, and all I had to say was that Pantalone was Miller's deputy mayor (which he did not know), and the guy immediatly changed his tune, because he supports "Transit City".

Where is the evidence for that? A few weeks back a poll was released that showed that if Miller ran he would win. There is no general rejection of the "left" here. What there is is a rejection of the game plan as set up by the media, people are voting against Smitherman and his Liberal connections, not Miller. The set game is Ford v. Smitherman, not Ford v. Miller. Even Smitherman is anti-Miller. There is no Miller candidate in the race that most people know about.

Indeed, I'd say Smitherman's really hard anti-Miller line was one of the biggest fiascos of his campaign.

I agreed with most who said that Smitherman has run a miserable campaign and doesn't deserve to win, but he is the only chance we have to stop Ford.

Ford"s campaign can be summed up in four words STOP THE GRAVY TRAIN trnaslation CHANGE

Pantalone's campaign can be summed up in four words MORE OF THE SAME translation NO CHANGE

The others Rossi, Thompso represnt change and one thing is clear the majority of the voters want change the pollls show that> Smitherman is the only one with the numbers to sell the change but postive change. Pantalone can't sell that and the Thompson, Rossi and Smitherman voters won't go to Pantalone in big enough numbers.

I think that at best you could argue (possibly) that Smitherman represents NEGATIVE change but not as negative a change as some of the other candidates - but make no mistake about it - he represents a giant step backwards.

I agreed with most who said that Smitherman has run a miserable campaign and doesn't deserve to win, but he is the only chance we have to stop Ford.

Ford"s campaign can be summed up in four words STOP THE GRAVY TRAIN trnaslation CHANGE

Pantalone's campaign can be summed up in four words MORE OF THE SAME translation NO CHANGE

The others Rossi, Thompso represnt change and one thing is clear the majority of the voters want change the pollls show that> Smitherman is the only one with the numbers to sell the change but postive change. Pantalone can't sell that and the Thompson, Rossi and Smitherman voters won't go to Pantalone in big enough numbers.

This is why I will hold my nose and vote Smitherman.

For what? A bunch of words like "hope" and "change"? How about a rock solid transit proposal, as opposed to another "transit plan". Toronto doesn't need a new plan for transit. It needs transit, and it needs it now. Not a bunch of dithering, new reports, renegeed contracts and fishing expeditions for private investors.

So, precisely. Joe's campaign can be summed up as "more of the same". A CHEAPER transit plan that is already in the works, already negotiated and ready to go. We can't be digging holes and filling them in every 5 years because someone comes along talking about "hope" and "change".

Anyway, Smitherman already lost this elecition, this summer. He can't out-Ford, Ford. That much is obvious. So if you really want to throw your vote away that is one sure way to do it. On the other hand, a vote for Joe Pantalone is a vote for transist city, and against privatization, and this is a message that you can get across.

Voting for Slietherman just tells city council that Ford is on the right track.

Meanwhile, in other news - I was pleasantly surprised and even shocked to see that Art Eggleton of all people is backing Joe Pantalone for mayor! Eggleton is by-passing the two big-L Liberals in the race and remember that back in the 80s, we all that that "Eggs" was a rightwing mayor who beat John Sewell. i guess he's has a "Saul on the Road to Damascus" conversion.

It is going to be interesting to see how labour comes down. In speaking with some of the skilled trade unions I hear they will not support Pantalone. Bad news for him.

Any union member voting for Smitherman is like the proverbial "chicken voting for Col. Sanders". Smitherman's entire political career has been a fiesta of union-bashing and he is promising to bring in more P3s and more contracting out etc...from a union perspective what's not to DISlike?

The funny and unfortunate thing is it will certainly get him more exposure and probably get him some votes because most people will barely even think about the racist/fascist/criminal/sexist implications. Nor will they question its relevance to his actual campaign.

I'm sure he'll take some flak for it, but the fact is it is well-designed and different, and it plays into hollywood imagery that everyone understands.

Hey, if I lived there I certainly wouldn't put one up on my wall but I'd definitely want one for my propaganda collection. It's a great poster.

(edit)

Hopefully Martin Scorsese and David Chase don't hit him up for licensing fees, though

Stockhom, I don't disagree with you, but never the less many are going to endorse and vote for Smitherman because he is the only chance they have to stop Ford. What I am hearing is they don't like it much but the rationale is clear...Pnatalone can't beat Ford and Smitherman might be able too.

writer @ 83: List of Toronto public figures recently known for jutting their chins out and raising them so that they look like Mussolini: Blair, Fantino, even a pale version in McGuinty, now Rossi. This first hit me when I realized that Blair was actually starting to look like Fantino -- something about that job. Anyway, it's really not my neo-aesthetic.

George "crocodile tears" Smitherman. George "diapers" Smitherman. Anyone who knows his history on the nursing-homes file would refuse to vote for him as dogcatcher (which the G20 showed us is pretty much all the mayor of Toronto is).

Apparently this Rossi character is serious. Well, in his own mind at least.

Well that's the thing. It's so far over the top that it is clearly pop-art satire. So he gets mileage for playing with his image in a half-comic way and doesn't have to take full responsibility for it. And for good or ill there is a reason why that kind of propaganda is effective - a certain segment of the population will fall for it.

(edit)

Interesting that both posters use the Nazi red-black-white colour scheme. Time to go back and read J.G. Ballard's essay about the eternally-vital and youthful imagery of fascism.

Stockhom, I don't disagree with you, but never the less many are going to endorse and vote for Smitherman because he is the only chance they have to stop Ford. What I am hearing is they don't like it much but the rationale is clear...Pnatalone can't beat Ford and Smitherman might be able too.

Maybe union members will vote for Ford to stop Smitherman. The way i see it the main difference between them is that Ford's anti-union policies will collapse in chaos and never see the light of day - while Smitherman would probably actually find a way to implement is ultra rightwing policies. Choose your poison.

A political, what do you think Ford would be able to do as mayor that would be unfathomable to the decent, reasonable Smitherman (sic)?

Holy crap, do you not know this guy's history? He's been arrested a few times, has been drunk in public at Leafs games and lashed out at other fans, his wife called the police on him at one point. The guy is serious trouble, and an extreme right wing agenda to boot. There are threads about his past behaviour on rabble. And he'll be representing us as mayor? I'll take Smitherman any day.

Shaking hands with Hells Angels and talking about getting boiled in a pot will look good compared to what Ford will say and do in four yars. But heck I will believe anything now that Stockholm suggests union members might vote Ford to stop Smitherman. I am sure my husband and three sons all union members will give that some thought...NOT

A political, what do you think Ford would be able to do as mayor that would be unfathomable to the decent, reasonable Smitherman (sic)?

Holy crap, do you not know this guy's history? He's been arrested a few times, has been drunk in public at Leafs games and lashed out at other fans, his wife called the police on him at one point. The guy is serious trouble, and an extreme right wing agenda to boot. There are threads about his past behaviour on rabble. And he'll be representing us as mayor? I'll take Smitherman any day.

Smitherman is a former coke head Queen street party animal, who has had contact with the mafia that is hooked up with Colombian drug cartels. Heh. Exageration? No. All coke heads are hooked up to the Colombian drug cartels. Moreso, he has never come clean on the fact that he was supposed to set up an Ehealth database when he was Minister of Health, and failed miserably. His failed program became Ehealth, and it is his contact and consultants who blew our billion dollars doing nothing.